A heartwarming viral story has taken a dark and tragic twist. Curtis Dixon, a 60-year-old Detroit resident, was the recipient of a generous $100,000 gift from popular YouTuber MDMotivator (real name Zachery Dereniowski) in August 2025 for a simple act of kindness. Just days later, on September 1, 2025, Dixon was allegedly kidnapped, beaten, robbed in an extortion attempt, hog-tied, and left inside his burning SUV on Detroit's east side. He was rescued by police but is now in hiding as federal investigators probe the case for possible arson, kidnapping, and extortion. Here's a detailed breakdown of the events, based on reports from local news, federal sources, and social media discussions. The Act of Kindness That Went Viral Background on the Gift: In late August 2025, Dixon was outside American Jewelry and Loan in Detroit, preparing to pawn his wedding ring to pay an overdue utility bill and restore his electricity. Approaching him was Dereniowski, posing undercover as a blind man in need. Despite his own financial struggles, Dixon offered the "stranger" what little money he had—about $20—out of genuine compassion. The Reward: This moment was captured on video by Dereniowski, who revealed his true identity as MDMotivator, a Canadian YouTuber and social media influencer known for his "random acts of kindness" series on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. In the initial video, Dereniowski handed Dixon $1,000 in cash on the spot. A follow-up video showed Dixon receiving the full $100,000, raised through a GoFundMe campaign supported by Dereniowski's followers worldwide. The videos, tagged with hashtags like #kindness and #money, amassed millions of views, turning Dixon into an overnight sensation symbolizing everyday heroism. Dereniowski's Profile: MDMotivator, with over 10 million followers across social media, frequently stages scenarios to highlight and reward good deeds. His content often involves surprising people with large sums of money, and this incident fit his brand perfectly. The YouTuber has not publicly commented on the subsequent events, but the original videos remain online. The Kidnapping and Torture: A Nightmare Unfolds Timeline of the Incident: Just a few days after receiving the money (exact date not specified in reports but aligning with early September), Dixon claims he was approached by individuals near Mt. Elliott Street in Detroit. He was allegedly kidnapped, forced to withdraw cash from ATMs (possibly including portions of the gifted money), beaten severely, and tortured. The assailants then hog-tied him (binding his hands and feet behind his back) inside his SUV, doused the vehicle with an accelerant, and set it on fire, leaving him to burn alive. Rescue and Immediate Aftermath: On September 1, 2025, witnesses reported the burning vehicle on Detroit's east side around 9:30 PM. Police arrived promptly, extinguishing the fire and freeing Dixon, who was alive but injured from the beating, smoke inhalation, and restraints. He was treated at a local hospital and released, but sources indicate he's now "lying low" at an undisclosed location for safety. Extortion Angle: Investigators believe the attack was motivated by the high-profile gift, with the kidnappers targeting Dixon to extort the $100,000 or portions of it. Details on how much was stolen remain unclear, but the forced ATM withdrawals suggest they got at least some cash. Dixon's account includes claims of being held for hours and threatened with death if he didn't comply. - @ariesblogger7